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enECU accounting student Melissa Ellis selected for Native American Journalism Fellowshiphttps://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-accounting-student-melissa-ellis-selected-native-american-journalism-fellowship
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/P1010687-1.jpg?itok=9wUmj_IC" width="400" height="549" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Melissa Ellis</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Of all things, a question on a final exam in December was an inspiration to East Central University junior Melissa Ellis.</p>
<p>Taking Dr. Tom Cowger’s Native American Studies class final, an essay question was posed along the lines of what culture and policy changes would an American Indian have witnessed in their world over the last 100 years and to project the future for tribes going forward.</p>
<p>Ellis, a resident of Ada and a Byng High School graduate, is pursuing a degree in accounting and was inspired by the question. As a result, Ellis is now one of only 10 college students from across the country that have been selected for the Native American Journalism Association Fellowship.</p>
<p>The Native American Journalist Association (NAJA) serves and empowers Native journalists through programs and actions designed to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures. The NAJA program is a year-long endeavor and will include a conference, July 16-22, in Miami, Florida.</p>
<p>“We had to write an essay in Dr. Cowger’s class as if we grew up from 1906 to now,” Ellis said. “It’s interesting that a final (test) made me more interested. I am Chickasaw and the tribe has given so much to me. I want to be a voice for the Chickasaw Nation and share my experiences with those across the country.”</p>
<p>Ellis looks forward to the trip to Miami as a learning experience and for those from other tribes and nations to come together in unity.</p>
<p>“I would like the tribes to come together. We are so much alike now,” said Ellis. “I feel like we’ve got a really good opportunity to learn and I can bring things back to Ada to share with others. A lot of people forget that we all have different (tribal) constitutions and there are so many that dishonor our constitutions.”</p>
<p>As she attends the conference, Ellis will be mentored by Reggie George, who served as an advocate at the recent Standing Rock Reservation controversy in North Dakota.</p>
<p>The NAJA recognizes Native Americans as distinct peoples based on tradition and culture. In this spirit, the NAJA educates and unifies its membership through programs that promote diversity and defends challenges to free press, speech, and expression.</p>
<p>As part of her preparation for the conference in Miami, Florida, Ellis will prepare a five-page journal, a news article and a video.</p>
<p>“It’s not my specialty, but I’m excited and interested in doing it,” Ellis said. “It should be a great learning experience.”</p>
<p>In addition to her current studies at ECU, Ellis is serving as a rotating accounting intern with the Chickasaw Nation.</p>
<p>She says she is relishing the challenge of integrating her accounting and journalism skills together through this project.</p>
<p>“Melissa is an exceptionally thoughtful and talented young lady who is passionate about her Chickasaw and Native American heritage,” said Cowger. “Not only is this a prestigious national award, it is even more impressive in lieu of the fact she is an accounting major and competed for it against journalism students from across the country.”</p>
<p>Cowger says when Ellis applied for the award, she hinted that she wanted to do more than just work with numbers all day. She wanted to impact people’s lives through Native American storytelling and use journalism to help the world and bridge cultural gaps. With the environment quickly fading and the preservation of Native American lands at stake more each year, Ellis wanted to have a voice, according to Cowger.</p>
<p>“I could not be more proud of Melissa. She will make a terrific ambassador at the workshops for the Chickasaw Nation, ECU and the state of Oklahoma,” Cowger said.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Thu, 17 May 2018 16:01:19 +0000bjohnson15584 at https://www.ecok.eduSix ECU Accounting Students Earn Scholarships from the OSCPAhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/six-ecu-accounting-students-earn-scholarships-oscpa
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Accounting%20Deparment%20Scholarship%20Group.jpg?itok=bSRF4o1S" width="400" height="547" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Six East Central University accounting students were awarded scholarships from the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants. The six awards, valued at $11,250, accounted for 44.5 percent of the $25,250 awarded to college and university students statewide. Pictured on the front row are: (left to right) Brooklin Schwabe, of Ponca City; Alexis Row, of Tishomingo and Yashna Khadgi, of Washington, Oklahoma. The second row consists of: (left to right), Kendall Hargis, of Ada; Shelby O’Dell, of Burneyville and Ryan Jolly, of Stonewall. The third row includes: instructor Julie Lee; Chair of the Accounting Department and accounting instructor Joe Dougherty and Dr. Stacey Bolin, assistant professor. On the back row are Randall Stone, Horne and Company Endowed Professor in Accounting and Wendell Godwin, dean of the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Six East Central University students received $11,250 in scholarships from the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants, it was recently announced.</p>
<p>Those six earning scholarships included Alexis Row, of Tishomingo, with the Retha Duggan Scholarship and Ryan Jolly, of Stonewall, with the Rick Kells Scholarship. The other four scholarship winners were Brooklin Schwabe, of Ponca City; Kendall Hargis, of Ada; Shelby O’Dell, of Burneyville and Yashna Khadgi, of Washington, Oklahoma.</p>
<p>Of the $25,250 awarded from the OSCPA, the $11,250 figure accounted for 44.5 percent of the scholarship dollars offered statewide. The scholarship number was six out of 15 (40 percent) going to ECU students.</p>
<p>“This is an exciting time for the Stonecipher School of Business. Our students continue to receive scholarships and earn awards far beyond what would be expected for a regional university,” said Wendell Godwin, dean of the Stonecipher School of Business. “This is another example of our students’ success by receiving state scholarships from the top accounting foundation in Oklahoma. We have a great relationship with the OSCPA in general and work actively with the organization to ensure our students are exposed to some of the top accounting careers in the state.”</p>
<p>Those students who have gone through ECU’s accounting program, have not only excelled in the classroom and through CPA exams, but success has followed in their careers.</p>
<p>“Our students are being placed at national and regional accounting firms and have a high level of success early in their career. The pass rate on the CPA exams for our students graduating from the Master of Science in Accounting program is very high,” Godwin said. “Our accounting program continues to be recognized at the state level and this is an excellent reflection on the quality of our faculty.”</p>
<p>Randall Stone, instructor in the Department of Accounting and the Horne and Company Endowed Professor in Accounting in the Stonecipher School of Business, is pleased that ECU accounting students have taken the initiative to join professional organizations such as the Oklahoma Society of CPAs.</p>
<p>“Joining professional organizations while still pursuing undergraduate education signals professionalism and excitement about entering the profession,” said Stone. “The Society offers students membership at a greatly discounted price and offers many benefits to their student members such as resume reviews, Career Night events across the state and opportunities to network with other accounting professionals at continuing professional education events, along with wonderful scholarship opportunities generously funded by Oklahoma CPAs.”</p>
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong> The ECU Stonecipher School of Business is accredited by the ACBSP with a bachelor of science in accounting, bachelor of science in business administration and master of science in accounting. A master in management is a new program. For more information about the accounting program contact Stone at 580-559-5527 or <a href="mailto:rstone@ecok.edu">rstone@ecok.edu</a>. For more information on the Stonecipher School of Business, contact Cassie Johnson in the Stonecipher School of Business at <a href="mailto:casjoh@ecok.edu">casjoh@ecok.edu</a> or at 580-559-5274.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 16 May 2018 19:16:26 +0000bjohnson15580 at https://www.ecok.eduRecent ECU graduate Elsa Moseley named Fulbright Scholar; To serve in “Princeton in Asia Fellowship” Programhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/recent-ecu-graduate-elsa-moseley-named-fulbright-scholar-serve-princeton-asia-fellowship-program
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Elsa%20Moseley_0.jpg?itok=eEraIEkA" width="400" height="608" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Elsa Moseley has come a long way since entering East Central University as a shy freshman to becoming a top senior and now to being a recent graduate and prestigious Fulbright Scholar.</p>
<p>As a Fulbright Scholar, Moseley has the opportunity to teach English in South Korea for a year. The Sulphur resident was recently named one of ECU’s top five finalists for the George Nigh Award, which goes to the top senior at ECU for 2017-2018.</p>
<p>Additionally, Moseley applied and was successful in achieving a “Princeton in Asia Fellowship,” another high honor in which she has the opportunity to teach English and international relations at China Foreign Affairs University.</p>
<p>The Fulbright Scholar Program is part of the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.</p>
<p>Moseley’s accolades are a culmination of a long list of achievements as a student at ECU.</p>
<p>“I feel like I’m becoming a confident leader. I came in as a shy freshman,” said Moseley. “I joined ECU Rotaract and not only served the Ada community but learned much from our international students. Through that, I was able to step outside my comfort zone and chose to try things.”</p>
<p>One of those agendas was to help new international students adapt to the university.</p>
<p>“I liked helping students feel more integrated or welcomed into the student body and then building stronger relationships between the student body and campus administration and to help improve our institution,” Moseley said.</p>
<p>She has served as president of ECU’s Rotaract Club and was a junior representative for the university’s Student Senate.</p>
<p>But internationally, Moseley has already been learning and making an impact as she has future goals to continue down that path.</p>
<p>Through the U.S. Department of State, Moseley did a Virtual Student Federal Service Internship last fall in which Moseley corresponded with Russian high school teachers to design and implement teaching objectives for Russian high school students in the “Russia Access”</p>
<p>program – an extracurricular program to teach English to talented youth from low-income families.</p>
<p>Moseley also studied through ECU’s Global Education Program at ECU’s sister university in Limoges, France in 2016 and, that same year, was selected as a 2016 Russian Scholar Laureate by the American Council of Teachers of Russian. She spent some time in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia in May of 2015.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 16 May 2018 16:21:36 +0000bjohnson15579 at https://www.ecok.eduECU to conduct Community Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, May 17https://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-conduct-community-town-hall-meeting-thursday-may-17
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>East Central University wants your help planning for its future.</p>
<p>A public Community Town Hall Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 17, from 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in the Regents Room of the Memorial Student Union Building on the ECU campus.</p>
<p>In February, ECU formed Strategic Planning Committee, composed of community members along with ECU faculty, staff and administration. The team is charged with developing a new strategic plan that will outline the university’s goals and projects for the next three to five years.</p>
<p>The plan will be used to provide direction for program developments and budget decisions, along with aligning the goals of the entire university.</p>
<p>Parking is available for the town hall meeting at 14<sup>th</sup> and Francis Streets, next to the Mayhue Tennis Courts.</p>
<p>For more information on the meeting, contact Amy Ford at <a href="mailto:aford@ecok.edu">aford@ecok.edu</a> or 580-559-5725.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 14 May 2018 21:23:48 +0000bjohnson15578 at https://www.ecok.eduECU's Dr. Ken Hada presented with Distinguished Service Honor at 29th Annual Oklahoma Book Awardshttps://www.ecok.edu/article/ecus-dr-ken-hada-presented-distinguished-service-honor-29th-annual-oklahoma-book-awards
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/ken%20carli%20aw.jpg?itok=AylqPQGh" width="400" height="533" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">East Central University’s Dr. Ken Hada is pictured with Glenda Carlile after Hada won the Carlile Award at the recent 29th Annual Oklahoma Book Awards.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Dr. Ken Hada, who co-founded and directed East Central University’s Annual Scissortail Creative Writing Festival for 13 straight years, was recently presented with the Glenda Carlile Distinguished Service Award during the 29<sup>th</sup> Annual Oklahoma Book Awards in Oklahoma City.</p>
<p>The Oklahoma Book Awards event brought authors, poets, illustrators, designers, publishers and avid readers together to celebrate some of Oklahoma’s most talented literary standouts.</p>
<p>Former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh, an ECU alumnus, served as the master of ceremonies for the event.</p>
<p>“I was shocked to receive the award. I was at the event because my book was a finalist for an award and I was completely caught off-guard as the award was occurring,” said Hada. “One of the few times I was speechless.”</p>
<p>Through the Scissortail Creative Writing Festival, which he co-founded with Hugh Tribbey, Hada brings together some of the nation’s top authors and poets for a three-day seminar on the ECU campus in April. The free event is open to the public as 50 or more writers, authors and poets converge on the campus each year. Hundreds flock to campus to hear the authors and gain a valuable literary experience.</p>
<p>“I also told a number of colleagues, that I see this recognition as affirmation of all of us who work so hard to make the Scissortail Festival a success here at ECU,” Hada said. “We are doing something unique and I’m fortunate to have a lot of good help.”</p>
<p>Hada’s book, <em>Bring an Extry Mule</em>, was a finalist in the Poetry Division. The publisher of the book is Purple Flag Press.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 11 May 2018 16:45:47 +0000bjohnson15574 at https://www.ecok.eduECU TO HOST VETERANS AND MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY ON MAY 17https://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-host-veterans-and-military-appreciation-day-may-17
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Chickasaw%20Honor%20Guard.jpg?itok=fjzPj1L5" width="400" height="350" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Members of the Chickasaw Honor Guard presented the colors at a ceremony during Veterans and Military Appreciation Day, hosted by East Central University, in 2017. The Chickasaw Honor Guard is scheduled to present the colors again on May 17 as ECU hosts Veterans and Military Appreciation Day in ECU Foundation Hall.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Milton Courtney, a 70-year member of American Legion Post 70 in Konawa, will be honored to highlight East Central University’s Veterans and Military Appreciation Day on Thursday, May 17, in ECU Foundation Hall of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center.</p>
<p>More than 40 vendor tables will accommodate attendees at 9 a.m. and the official program begins at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.</p>
<p>“We invite the community to join us at this event where we honor and thank veterans, military members and their families for their service,” said Mary Meeks, director of ECU Veterans Upward Bound Program.</p>
<p>The 92-year-old Courtney served as a Navy Second Class Petty Officer on the U.S.S. Iowa in the Pacific, beginning in October of 1943. He will be recognized by Bobby Hatter, commander for American Legion Post 70.</p>
<p>Other activities during the event will be the annual presentation of the Bret D. Isenhower Scholarship among other award presentations. Jerry McKane, part of ECU’s Veterans Upward Bound Program, will be honored in being chosen for an exclusive Veterans Entrepreneurship Program at Oklahoma State University.</p>
<p>Bart Culver, from the Department of Veterans Affairs in Muskogee and education liaison for the State of Oklahoma, will also be present and ECU’s own Jill Williamson will be recognized for earning the Marshall Webb Award from the Oklahoma Association of Veterans Coordinators and Counselors (OAVCC).</p>
<p>The vendor tables will include V.A. members and representatives of organizations which serve military members and their families. The event will wrap up with a free lunch.</p>
<p>“This is a great opportunity to learn more about the resources available in the area and across the state,” Meeks said. “The Veterans Families Wellness Alliance will facilitate a vendor speed sharing during the lunch.”</p>
<p>For more information on ECU’s Veterans and Military Appreciation Day, contact Meeks at 580-559-5541.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 08 May 2018 16:08:48 +0000bjohnson15569 at https://www.ecok.eduSCHEEF TO RECEIVE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD AT ECU’S EVENING OF HONORS AND RECOGNITION ON FRIDAY, MAY 11https://www.ecok.edu/article/scheef-receive-distinguished-alumni-award-ecu-s-evening-honors-and-recognition-friday-may-11
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Craig%20Scheef%20photo_0.jpg?itok=AJFG927J" width="375" height="563" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Craig Scheef</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Craig T. Scheef, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Texas Security Bank and East Central University alumnus, will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award at ECU’s Evening of Honors and Recognition on Friday, May 11, in Foundation Hall of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center.</p>
<p>“This means a lot. East Central continues to be significant in my life. I’m proud to have been a student and part of the family and community. I’m extremely grateful and humbled,” said Scheef.</p>
<p>Under Scheef’s leadership, Texas Security Bank, with $420 million, is one of the fastest growing and most profitable independent banks in the United States.</p>
<p>With locations in Dallas, Garland and Farmers Branch, Texas Security Bank was featured in <em>Forbes Magazine</em> and the <em>Dallas Journal</em> in 2015 as the No. 5 Healthiest Bank in America by depositaccounts.com (out of 6,800 banks). The same bank service rated Texas Security Bank the No. 1 Healthiest Bank in Texas in 2015.</p>
<p>After graduating from Plano Senior High School in 1981, Scheef accepted a scholarship to play football at ECU. In 1984 and 1985, Scheef was named to Who’s Who Among America’s College and University Students and was routinely a member of the Dean’s and President’s Honor Rolls.</p>
<p>Scheef was named Academic All-American in football his junior and senior seasons. He was also elected co-captain of ECU’s 1984-1985 football team which was ranked No. 1 nationally for small colleges at the end of the regular season. Scheef was an NAIA All-District 9 his final two years as well, earning Small College Consensus All-American Honorable Mention honors.</p>
<p>In 2005, Scheef received the Milam Award which is presented annually to a distinguished ECU football alumnus who has excelled in their chosen vocation. In 2016, he received ECU’s Distinguished Service Award and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from ECU’s Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business.</p>
<p>“When I spoke at commencement in December, I talked about the excellent education I received at ECU at its where I developed my love for learning. I learned how to study,” Scheef said. “We had a really good football team and I’ve built life-long relationships and wonderful memories of winning. It was a great experience and it continues to be great.”</p>
<p>Upon completion of his bachelor’s degree from ECU in 1985, Scheef attended graduate school at the University of North Texas in Denton, receiving his M.B.A. in finance in 1988. He graduated in the top five percent of M.B.A. students while at UNT.</p>
<p>“Craig was an example of what a student-athlete should strive to be,” said ECU President Katricia G. Pierson. “He took both education and athletics seriously and excelled in both. His heart has never left ECU. As an alum, Craig has been a continual supporter of the university with his time, talent and resources.”</p>
<p>In June of 1988, Scheef accepted a commercial credit training position with First Interstate Bank (predecessor to Wells Fargo Bank). During his last five years at Wells Fargo, he managed a team of middle market lenders.</p>
<p>Scheef accepted the position of community bank president for Bank of Texas, a subsidiary of BOK Financial in 2003. In 2004, he was promoted to president of business banking for the Dallas and Houston markets, having responsibility for seven community banks in Dallas and Houston. In April 2007, Scheef left Bank of Texas to begin the process of obtaining regulatory approval and raising capital for an independent bank focused on the needs of people who exercise their right to free enterprise – the independent business owner.</p>
<p>Texas Security Bank began operations with $26.5 million in new capital in 2008.</p>
<p>Scheef is a former president of the Swiss Avenue Historical District, former chairman of the Executive Committee of the East Central University Foundation, Inc., member of the Greater Dallas Assembly and member of the Dallas Chief Executive Round Table.</p>
<p>He is married to his wife Christy of 29 years. Craig and Christy enjoy travel, snow skiing, sporting events, community involvement, volunteering time to various East Dallas non-profit organizations and spending time with their dog, Hugo, family and friends.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 07 May 2018 19:00:27 +0000bjohnson15568 at https://www.ecok.eduHARGRAVE NAMED CEO OF ECU FOUNDATION, INC.; LOVELIS TO SERVE AS VICE PRESIDENT/CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICERhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/hargrave-named-ceo-ecu-foundation-inc-lovelis-serve-vice-presidentchief-operations-officer
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Foundation%20Trio.jpg?itok=wz9Dk0mE" width="400" height="370" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Pictured from left to right are: ECU President Katricia Pierson; John R. Hargrave, new CEO of the ECU Foundation, Inc. and Vicky Petete, chairman of the ECU Foundation Board.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The East Central University Foundation Board of Directors announced that President Emeritus John R. Hargrave has been named chief executive officer of the ECU Foundation, Inc. while Buffy Lovelis has been elevated to vice president and chief operations officer.</p>
<p> “John is a proven ambassador for the university and the foundation,” said Vicky Petete, chairman of the ECU Foundation Board “With him as our leader, we look forward to working with the university with a shared vision and goal to support the university, faculty, student body and its programs.”</p>
<p>Hargrave served as the eighth president of ECU from 2009-2017. He graduated with honors from ECU in 1978, majoring in speech and sociology and earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1980.</p>
<p> “John is a perfect fit for this position. His service to the university and absolute love for it, makes it a natural selection,” said ECU President Katricia G. Pierson. “We look forward to the energy he will bring to this position in helping students achieve their academic goals through scholarships and fundraising for projects across campus to enhance the learning experience.”</p>
<p>While serving as president, Hargrave oversaw the opening of five new facilities and the renovation of several more on campus.</p>
<p>“I would like to thank the ECU Foundation Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to once again serve East Central University,” Hargrave said. “I look forward to engaging with the university, students, faculty and staff, as well as the community, alumni and donors.”</p>
<p>Eighteen members of Hargrave’s family attended or graduated from ECU, beginning with his grandparents. His wife, Kay Hargrave, a 1978 ECU graduate, is an assistant district attorney for Pontotoc, Seminole and Hughes Counties. They have four adult children and six grandchildren.</p>
<p>Hargrave’s past and current lengthy list of civic duties include: member of the Ada Chamber of Commerce, past member of the Ada Jobs Foundation Board and member of the Mercy Hospital Board of Trustees, Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame Board (first non-African American to serve on the board), chair of the Council of Presidents for the Great American Conference and past chair of the Council of Presidents for the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO).</p>
<p>Additionally, Hargrave is on the board of trustees for the Oklahoma Excellence in Education Foundation and the Scientific and Natural Resource Foundation Board of Directors. He is active in the ECU Alumni Association. As appointed by the chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Hargrave also served on several committees.</p>
<p>Hargrave is also an advisory board member for the Miss Ada Pageant and the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum in Seminole. He serves as a trustee of the Seminole State College Foundation.</p>
<p>“For the past several years, Buffy has been an integral part of the ECU Foundation,” Petete said. “In order to better align her position and title with her current and future responsibilities, Buffy has also been named vice president and chief operations officer.”</p>
<p>Lovelis has served as chief operations officer of the ECU Foundation, Inc. for the past two years. She joined the staff at ECU in 2007 as a database administrator before moving over to serve as ECU alumni director. Lovelis then became an administrative assistant for the ECU Foundation.</p>
<p> “I love ECU and it is such an honor to have the opportunity to serve ECU in this role,” Lovelis said.</p>
<p>Lovelis received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from ECU in 2005 and earned a master’s degree in human resources administration in 2008.</p>
<p>Her husband, Greg, is an ECU graduate and holds two degrees from the university. They have two children – Carsyn (7) and Masen (5) – both of whom attend school in Stonewall.</p>
<p>“Buffy and Greg met at ECU. They are a true example of ‘Once a Tiger Always a Tiger’.” said Petete.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 01 May 2018 20:52:22 +0000bjohnson15564 at https://www.ecok.eduFLOYD/ALLEN FAMILY TO BE RECOGNIZED AT ECU’S EVENING OF HONORS https://www.ecok.edu/article/floydallen-family-be-recognized-ecu-s-evening-honors
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/FloydAllen%20Family.jpg?itok=yBFnbweE" width="400" height="415" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Pictured from the Floyd/Allen Family are: (front row, left to right) Cara Allen and Billie Floyd. The middle row includes: (left to right) are Jesse Allen, Amy Allen and Carey Floyd. The back row consists of Joel Allen and Russ Allen.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>East Central University has been a common thread for the successful academic endeavors of the Floyd/Allen Family.</p>
<p>Billie Floyd, an ECU alum who served ECU for 31 years as an educator, and her two siblings – brother Dock Wade Fathree and sister Mary Lou Fathree – all graduated from the university as did her late husband Ben Floyd. All three siblings served as instructors, but Billie remained there the longest. Ben eventually taught biology at Ada High School.</p>
<p>Billie’s youngest daughter Amy married Russ Allen, who along with many of his family members attended ECU.</p>
<p>As a result, the Floyd/Allen family will be presented with the Distinguished Family Award at ECU’s 2018 Evening of Honors and Recognition on Friday, May 11, at 6:30 p.m. in ECU Foundation Hall of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center.</p>
<p>“The Floyd-Allen family has meant so much to the university,” said ECU President Katricia G. Pierson. “From Billie’s long investment in the university as a student and instructor to the Allens who have made it a family tradition in attending and graduating from ECU, this is what ‘Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger’ is all about.”</p>
<p>Billie attended Horace Mann School on the ECU campus and graduated from the university in 1951. Her parents moved to Ada in 1918 when ECU was named East Central Normal School.</p>
<p>After serving a year as an instructor in Duncan, Billie moved back to Ada in 1952 and began her long, but successful stint teaching at both Horace Mann and ECU.</p>
<p>“We never knew we couldn’t go on to get a high school and college education,” said Billie Floyd, whose parents strongly encouraged learning. “Education has always been an important part of our family. It’s unbelievable how East Central has influenced us.”</p>
<p>Billie believes there are at least 13 immediate relatives who have gone through ECU, most of which whom earned their degrees, and the number swells to be between 25-30 when you consider cousins and second cousins.</p>
<p>Russ Allen graduated from ECU in 1982 with a bachelor of science degree in accounting. He later completed a master of business administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2000.</p>
<p>Russ’ career includes work in accounting, banking and public school administration. He is currently the financial advisor/branch manager for Vision Investment Services (Raymond James Financial Services) at Vision Bank in Ada, where he also serves as senior vice president.</p>
<p>He is a former member of the ECU Alumni Board and former trustee for the East Central University Foundation, Inc. He is also a former adjunct instructor in the ECU School of Business.</p>
<p>“East Central University has been an integral part of our lives since the late 1970s,” said Russ Allen. “Since that time, the four of us - Amy, Jesse, Joel and myself - have received a combined five degrees which have allowed us to be successful in all that we have attempted. Without ECU, it would be difficult to imagine being where we are as a family. Thank you ECU. We are proud to be Tigers!”</p>
<p>Amy Allen graduated from ECU in 1985 with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She earned a master’s degree in reading from ECU in 1991.</p>
<p>Amy’s career has been spent in elementary and junior high education at Ada City Schools and Durant Public Schools. She currently is the physical education teacher for the Ada Early Childhood Center.</p>
<p>Jesse Allen, oldest son of Russ and Amy, graduated from ECU in 2009 with a bachelor of science in business administration with a minor in cartography. He went on to complete his juris doctorate from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2013.</p>
<p>Jesse was involved in many activities at ECU, including Tiger Ambassadors, Student Senate, Honor Court and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is currently assistant secretary of interior affairs for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and is vice president of the ECU Alumni Association.</p>
<p>Joel Allen, younger son of Russ and Amy, graduated from ECU in 2013 with a bachelor of arts in mass communication and a minor in business administration. He completed his master of divinity from the George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in 2017.</p>
<p>Joel is the contemporary worship pastor at First Baptist Church in Grandview, Texas.</p>
<p>Dr. Carey Lou Floyd began her undergraduate work at ECU and completed her bachelor of science degree and doctorate of veterinary medicine at Oklahoma State University.</p>
<p>Carey has received numerous awards, including the 2015 Oklahoma Veterinarian of the Year Award.</p>
<p>Besides working in a private practice, she has worked for the State Department of Agriculture and has served as the director of the Veterinary Technology Program at Murray State College and is now teaching science at Byng High School.</p>
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong> Tickets and sponsorships are still available for ECU’s Evening of Honors and Recognition. For more information or to register, contact Kacy Clark at <a href="mailto:kclark@ecok.edu">kclark@ecok.edu</a> or at 580-559-5587 or go online at alumni.ecok.edu/event/EOH2018.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 30 Apr 2018 19:26:56 +0000bjohnson15561 at https://www.ecok.eduSUMMER ENROLLMENT ONGOING; PELL GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMERhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/summer-enrollment-ongoing-pell-grants-available-summer
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Summer enrollment is currently open at East Central University and the year-round Federal Pell Grant is back.</p>
<p>Beginning this summer, Pell Grant eligible students have the opportunity to receive up to 150 percent of the scheduled Pell award each year. If a student was Pell eligible in the fall of 2017 and/or spring of 2018, they may qualify for a Pell Grant this summer.</p>
<p>A student that received a Pell Grant for full-time enrollment for the fall of 2017 and spring of 2018, must be enrolled in at least six hours for the Summer 2018 Semester to be eligible.</p>
<p>For more information on Pell Grant eligibility, contact the ECU Financial Aid Office at 580-559-5243.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 27 Apr 2018 21:11:18 +0000bjohnson15560 at https://www.ecok.edu